Worked in a R&D
environment
for a medical device mfg. Agree with your assessment – hard
to use
a stock technique developed for an industrial setting within R&D.
Especially
without a clear understanding of the goals, needs, management/employee
relationships,
current business issues, and other relevant factors impacting EHS.
Seems
like the key to the correct solution to improve EHS issues/culture is to
start
with a correct diagnosis. And that can take significant cost and
EHS &
management time. Unions these days are especially skeptical of BBS,
claiming
that they blame employees for accidents.

That said, there are
several
programmes/consultants who could assist with diagnosis and techniques
that work
at the R&D “graduate level”. Contact me for
specifics. Sometimes
it is easier for an outsider to review all the relevant issues since
fellow
employees can be perceived as invested. From my view, the better players
have
done work in adult learning, know business/legal constraints, are
schooled in employee
relations and employee engagement, and develop a long-term
relationship. Of
course the hidden costs include time, follow-thru, and finding
issues
that no one wants to deal with.

Can anyone recommend
any
programs or consultants who have experience in promoting behavior based
safety
programs for R&D environments? I just don’t feel most of the
“canned” programs will be well accepted in an R&D
environment.
My site is industry which is probably easier than academia but still
challenging. Your thoughts or suggestions would be most
welcome.

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